I practise family law and often my clients have experienced, or are experiencing, family violence. It can be difficult to discuss “family violence” generally because there is no one experience of violence. A “yes” to a general question about whether or not a client has experienced family violence … [Read more...]
Domestic Violence, Renting and the Law
Homelessness is often a result of domestic violence (DV). When someone is fleeing violence at home, he or she needs somewhere to live and often has few or limited resources. There are additional difficulties if the person is a renter and either wants to remain living in the property, or is trying to … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 38-3: Bus Ads Target and Isolate Muslims
We would like to provide some context and background surrounding the “honour killing” ad campaign on Edmonton Transit buses sponsored by the America Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). The term “honour killing” must stop being used. It needs to be called what it is: murder, femicide, wrong. … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-2: On Second Thought…
An Ontario judge convicted a man of a firearm offence. However, at the sentencing hearing three months later, he announced that he had changed his mind. He stated: “To convict Mr. Griffith raises the risk of a grave injustice. The Crown has presented a strong case, but I can no longer say in good … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-2: The Environment, Fair Play and Natural Justice
The Pembina Institute and the Fort McMurray Environmental Association asked for a judicial review of a decision by the Director of Northern Region Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resources Development. The Director had rejected a Statement of Concern filed by the two entities under the Alberta … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-2: Elderly Martyr
Audrey Tobias is an 89-year-old peace activist who refused to fill out the 2011 Census because the results would be processed using software from U.S. military contractor Lockheed Martin. She was charged under the Statistics Act. She argued that forcing her to fill in the census would violate her … [Read more...]
Am I This Child’s Guardian?
The article “Who is a Parent? Not a Simple Question!” explores some of the legal complications faced by individuals and couples who are having children in non-traditional ways. Families can sometimes encounter a related, although somewhat different question: Who is a guardian of this child? This … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-2: Where to Incarcerate Khadr?
Associate Chief Justice John Rooke of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench was asked to determine where Omar Khadr should serve the remainder of his sentence. Mr. Khadr asked to serve his sentence in a provincial facility; the federal government wanted him placed in a federal penitentiary. Justice … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-2: Life and Death: Who Has the Final Say?
The doctors of a Toronto man who has been unconscious and on life support since 2010 want to cease active treatment and provide him with palliative care. They believe that he has no realistic chance of recovery. His family disagrees. Mr. Rasouli’s wife is his substitute decision-maker and she … [Read more...]
Receiving Care from Midwives in Alberta
Our recent article Midwifery in Canada may have raised your interest in receiving care from a midwife in Alberta. You can learn more from this set of frequently asked questions from the Alberta Association of Midwives. … [Read more...]
